Duchene takes a pass on invitation to worlds
Matt Duchene has told Team Canada officials thanks, but no thanks.
The Ottawa Senators’ top centre received an invitation last Friday to attend the world championship in Denmark next month from Team Canada officials, but he’s decided to take a pass this spring.
“I’m not going to go this year,” Duchene said Monday morning before facing the Winnipeg Jets. “It was really hard for me to turn it down and I’ve never said no to Team Canada, but I feel at this point ... I’ve played three years in a row and I’ve played six out of eight years.
“It’s one of those times I want to take a little bit of time off and refocus my summer training and get ready for next year with the Senators. That’s my main focus. It’s always an honour to get the call and it’s really hard for me to turn it down, but I want to look at longer term here.”
Duchene said that a trip to the world championship would delay his training program until midJune.
“Team Canada has been a big part of my life, it’s been an honour and a blessing every time,” Duchene said. “It’s definitely not an easy decision, but I feel for the betterment of my training I want a little bit more time this year and I’m really excited to come into camp ready to go next year.
“It’s a big commitment, you go overseas for a month, you’re back in late May and you take two or three weeks (before) you start training in the middle of June. This is the year I wanted a bit more time off. I’ve had a crazy last two years just with stuff going on and I just want time to be away.”
Canada may look at Ottawa defenceman Cody Ceci and centre Jean- Gabriel Pageau. There’s even a chance rookie Thomas Chabot could get a call.
Team USA has invited winger Ryan Dzingel to attend but he needs more time before making a decision because of a personal situation. Colin White has an invite from the Americans as well, but he’s waiting to find out his role.